Chapter 4: Great Sword Pirates
I walked through a street and saw a (weapon shop), Moran went in and looked, but there was no famous blade... Alas!
(East Blue – Loguetown) There are two renowned blades: the Wado Ichimonji, one of the 21 Great Grade swords wielded by Roronoa Zoro, and the Sandai Kitetsu, a cursed blade forged by Tenguyama Hitetsu, part of the Kitetsu line.
It's just too far away for a chance to grab it!
"Go back, Acedus."
"Coming."
It's already late at night when we return to the ship with big and small bags let's rest for one night and set sail tomorrow!
(The next morning at the dockyard of Water 7, the City of Shipwrights)
Moran turned over in a daze and touched something soft, opened his eyes and looked at each other—In an instant, Moran's face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye, and Moran showed an embarrassed smile.
Moran hurried to his feet.
Seeing Moran's smile, Acedus' face also turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Acedus, why are you here?"
"Well, I don't know why I am here—maybe I came here following my instinct, maybe my heart lives here."
Moran couldn't stand it anymore, and ran out in a hurry as if fleeing.
Acedus stood up and looked at Moran as he ran out.
What a lovely guy.
I will always guard your smile
From now on, your smile belongs to me
I won't let your face show anything but a smile.
After Moran ran out, he regretted it. The poor guy was still a first-timer.
(I don't know if it's too late to go back now)
The pirate ship slowly left the dock and sailed toward Jaya Island, in the Grand Line.
Make some breakfast since the last time I let Acedus cook a meal, I swear I will take care of the kitchen from now on.
(It's not because she made it unpalatable, but because I don't want to die young and imagine my own death)
"Acedus is out for breakfast."
Wow!
"It's my favorite sandwich—thank you, Lord Moran."
"Acedus, do you have any way to make money?"
Moran's fortune was just over 40 million Berries after robbing the Brute Force Pirates, a small-time crew with a collective bounty of only 2,300 Berries, though their stolen treasure was worth over 10 million.
Some was used up and now there are less than 40 million Berries left.
When will we be able to reach 100 million Berries!
"Make money?"
"I used to fight for more money"
"Just make money by fighting pirates."
"Pay attention on the road don't let the pirates escape once you spot them."
"Master Moran."
(Five days later, in the waters near Long Ring Long Land)
It's still fast to eat black and get money!
In five days, I encountered three pirate ships, and now with the previous hauls, there are already 87 million Berries if I work hard, I can reach the goal.
Bored Moran is practicing swordsmanship with Acedus.
(Actually, it's getting thrashed)
Suddenly, they encountered the Great Sword Pirate Ship that was looting indiscriminately
"Look, there's a pirate ship over there!"
An unknown pirate on the watchtower shouted.
"Little ones go up and catch the men and women as slaves and sell them."
Captain of the Great Sword Pirates, Orlad, ordered.
As expected of a cruel and ruthless pirate he also played a guest role as a slave trader.
At a distance of about ten meters from the two ships, Moran also heard Orlad's words.
Moran and Acedus furled the sails to keep the ship from drifting off-course, and the two jumped directly onto the Great Sword Pirates' ship.
"Yo, you're brave enough to jump aboard by yourself."
Orlad sneered.
"Acedus, don't shoot me I need to grow stronger."
"Okay, Master Moran, I will cheer for you."
Acedus sat on the railing and watched with a smile.
"Orlad, I'll be taking your head."
"If you've got the skill, then come try!"
Moran drew his blade his sword coated with Armament Haki and rushed forward using Soru, a technique from the Rokushiki style.
Appearing mid-air behind Orlad in a flash, his blade descended from above like a hawk diving for prey.
Orlad, a veteran pirate whose blade had drawn blood for years, reacted by instinct and blocked the attack with a backhand parry.
Clang!
Moran immediately circled Orlad using Soru and attacked from every angle his sword gleaming with each flash of Haki.
Ping ping pong
After a few rapid exchanges, Moran halted both of them panting, gauging each other.
Moran grinned, eyeing the cuts that now marked Orlad's torso.
"Damn it," Orlad muttered, staring at the wounds and then at Moran his blade hadn't even touched the boy once.
Orlad realized he was outmatched but in the middle of the sea, escape wasn't an option. All he could do was fight.
Just then, Moran struck again this time a sharp, precise slash widening Orlad's wounds with each swing.
Orlad's crew opened fire from the sides, but they couldn't hit Moran, who moved too fast. They stood frozen, weapons raised, but their bullets missed every time.
Orlad's movements grew heavier, his eyes slower—until Moran finally used Soru to appear at his back and sliced across his neck in one clean stroke. Orlad collapsed dead and unwilling.
Moran looked around at the rest of the pirates and vanished again.
He dove into the crew like a shadow—the speed of Soru left only flickers of his image behind. Every time he appeared, someone fell either slumped on deck or leaping overboard in terror.
Acedus sat on the railing, watching. "I wanted to impress you with my strength, Moran... but the more I watch, the more I fall for you." (starry eyes)
"Acedus, help me gather the loot."
"Here comes Lord Moran."
Loot: 17 million Berries and some valuables—most likely plundered from civilian ships.
"The system—open the personal page."
(Summon Lottery System)
(Let's skip all that unnecessary water-type nonsense. Just skip it.)
Host: Alphad Moran
Identity: Former Marine Colonel (yet to officially raise the pirate flag)
Age: 18
Abilities:
Observation Haki (Basic): 1000/2000
Armament Haki (Basic): 1000/2000
Conqueror's Haki: Unawakened
Physical Skill (Intermediate): 1000/4000
Marine Six Styles (Rokushiki - Intermediate): Moonwalk, Soru
Swordsmanship: 2000/4000
Combat Rank Equivalent: Rear Admiral
Bounty Value Equivalent (Unofficial): 104 million Berries
System Functions:
Summoning (costs 100 million Berries; doubles upon first use)
Lottery (draws high-value items)
Mall: Disabled
(Had nothing else to do recently, so I trained with Acedus and boosted my power a bit.)
"The system—use 100 million Berries for a single summon."
"Random summon."
A golden summoning gate shimmered into existence before Moran.
The light grew stronger radiating in brilliant pulses from the Summoning Gate.
First to step out was a long-legged figure clad in black silk.
Wearing a black short-sleeved top, a black miniskirt, and dark stockings she stepped through gracefully. Her flowing black hair and piercing red eyes glinted with defiance. Her face was striking so perfect it needed no makeup.
—